Can i get some pics, links, and ideas for making a 40 a sweet DD, almost comfort level of an 80....maybe a long shot. Links to the best built daily driver you have ever seen would be great. thanks
Daily Driver FJ40
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81-83 fj40 set up like my green 82 add a H55F and thatr would be about as good as its gonna get.
not gonna make one equal to a 80 series, can get close to a 60series but its still a short wheelbase and not much can be done about that
not gonna make one equal to a 80 series, can get close to a 60series but its still a short wheelbase and not much can be done about that
I run a fairly stock set up other then the extended shackles and 33's, and it is a GREAT DD. Of course my commute is 3 minutes. 
I was driving 45 minutes and I still found the ride OK. The wheel base is what is going to get you. You will have to stretch it what you can.
Remember it is a 40.
Stacey
I was driving 45 minutes and I still found the ride OK. The wheel base is what is going to get you. You will have to stretch it what you can.
Remember it is a 40.
Stacey
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I drive mine daily. I think its a better drive than most of the trucks ive owned. Id post a pick but i still cant figure out how to get them off my hard drive and on to here.
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i know..i doubt it could be done short of spending loads of money...its so hard for me b/c i DD an 80 and i have my 1982 fj40. i wish i could mesh them, have the 40 but make it ride and drive like the 80 with good power, heat, comfort.......If Toyot had half a brain they would just reintroduce the 40 but make it modern and comfortable.......ughhh
What do you guys consider comfort? They only 80 ive been in had seats less comfortable than mine in my 40. Yeah i dig my buddies 03 dodge quadcab, but a good truck isnt measured in its amenities. I love driving my simple truck because its just that. Simple. Its comfortable, easy to drive, FUN to drive, and it looks sweet to boot. What are you really looking for? A house on wheels aint a car and it aint fun to drive.
My 40 is my ideal car. Nuff said.
My 40 is my ideal car. Nuff said.
Just my 0.02; flip front and rear springs to punch wheelbase out to near 100", front shackle reversal, PS, Disc brakes, AC, Durabak or Rhino line the tub to cut down roadnoise, and definitely some Mastercraft seats should take care of the comfort aspects.
The other part of daily driver is to do something about the 14 MPG. One can spend an awful lot of money in search of economy.
The other part of daily driver is to do something about the 14 MPG. One can spend an awful lot of money in search of economy.
Power steering, disc brakes, nice stereo, comfy seats, good heater or AC depending on your climate.
I am thinking 33X9.50's would ride nice and not follow the ruts too much.
You could flip the springs and to lengthen the wheelbase and improve the ride.
Maybe a shackel reversal.
I am thinking 33X9.50's would ride nice and not follow the ruts too much.
You could flip the springs and to lengthen the wheelbase and improve the ride.
Maybe a shackel reversal.
The best driveability change I did to my '74 FJ40 was a TBI setup, so it starts and runs consistently. Next was probably the power steering, followed by front shackle reversal for ride quality. If I used it for long highway drives I'd need to address wind noise and drivetrain noise. If it is rainy then the visibility out of the softop for lane changes would become an issue. I only use it for wheeling and for running errands so I haven't worried about the noise and rainy weather visibility too much.
brian
SILVER Star
word.skyshark186 said:
i don't even have a radio in mine. with the fowl weather on the way, my only consern is the are the dumbass drivers that have no clue how to drive in the snow. or worse yet those that have a 4wd and THINK they can drive like it's summer......
the PO of my 1980 had 33" tires with no lift on it and it rode like hell. I wanted to get back to stock so I put 235's (29") and the improvement was amazing. If you are not doing alot of offroad, large tires are not the best for street. Too high center of gravity, etc. Now my rig drives great, the suspension works alot better, and it feels better on the road.
Just drop the body on a Camry frame and you will be set 
Cruiserhead05:
If Toyot had half a brain they would just reintroduce the 40 but make it modern and comfortable
They did, and called it a BJ70. Though it just didn't look as good IMO, even if you can get one with all the refinements that make it an excellent DD.
But seriously, the best ride improvement I got from my FJ40 was a nice soft set of rear springs with a sloped shackle angle(~45'). The difference was phenomenal. If I were to build another DD 40, I'd get rear 60 series lift springs instead for the back, and some 2.5" FJ40 springs for the front. Lengthens wheelbase a bit, but doesn't change the visual appearance much. Keep the frame as is but run long shackles. Other than that a bit of sound insulation does help. Make sure all hinges are tight to reduce annoying rattles, or run soft top.
If Toyot had half a brain they would just reintroduce the 40 but make it modern and comfortable
They did, and called it a BJ70. Though it just didn't look as good IMO, even if you can get one with all the refinements that make it an excellent DD.
But seriously, the best ride improvement I got from my FJ40 was a nice soft set of rear springs with a sloped shackle angle(~45'). The difference was phenomenal. If I were to build another DD 40, I'd get rear 60 series lift springs instead for the back, and some 2.5" FJ40 springs for the front. Lengthens wheelbase a bit, but doesn't change the visual appearance much. Keep the frame as is but run long shackles. Other than that a bit of sound insulation does help. Make sure all hinges are tight to reduce annoying rattles, or run soft top.
I really like how my SOA rides on the road with a soft top. I have the rear springs flipped but now i have the FJ55 rears which are really soft on the road. Scout p/s makes it real nice for the ruts on the freeway. Pizza cutter tires would do better on the road, a 12.5" wide tire like I have tends to follow ruts. Stick to the aisin carb and you are pretty set to go. With 35" tires you can a natural over drive from the bigger tires but your speedo will be off 
no pics necessary, nothing out of the ordinary needed.
Late model 40 with 32" pizzacutters on new stock suspension. Taller tires at lower pressure help tremendously with ride over bumps etc.
With good weatherstripping, hardtop, A/C, P/S, and some sound deadening material a late model 40 is as close to an 80 as possible. (other than wheelbase and suspension ride)
Late model 40 with 32" pizzacutters on new stock suspension. Taller tires at lower pressure help tremendously with ride over bumps etc.
With good weatherstripping, hardtop, A/C, P/S, and some sound deadening material a late model 40 is as close to an 80 as possible. (other than wheelbase and suspension ride)
I agree with Baily, tall tires do help the ride ALOT. I have gone from 235's, 30's, 33x12.5's to 33x9.5's and DAMN they ride so much better, even on a stock Cruiser. Taller tires act like a shock sorta. Every drive a backhoe........they got no shocks the tires are the only shock.......and I got a back to prove it 
I've been driving my FJ40 basically stock for 30000 miles as a daily driver, over the last 3 years, and I am happy with it. All I've done is put on shoulder strap seatbelts, nonusa carb and dizzy, and greasable shackles. Well, and a radio. It isn't an FJ80, but then, the top comes off....
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I thought the softest ride I ever had in a 40 was the time I put the 235s back on. That an the 27 percent overdrive of the Fairey was liveable. All the engine and road noise was still there. Definitely not an 80, not even a 60!
When I want things quieter in the 40 or the 45, I put in earplugs!
When I want things quieter in the 40 or the 45, I put in earplugs!
little bias here...but what you need my friend is a 76 or newer FJ55. Smooth...Quiet....bench seats....comfy....bitchin!
I've DD a couple of FJ40's for a combined mileage over 70K. I loved the Old Man Emu suspension with a 45 degree shackle angle. 'Specially after freshly greasing the springs. I also test drove a stock 40 with new stock height springs, new shocks and bushings. I was amazed at how nice a bone stock truck could be! The other big plus was the new OEM weatherstriping on the doors and windows.
Didn't need power steering often on the street; you'll need it even less if you run a pizza cutter tire on the stock wheels. 33x10.5 BFG AT/KO would be my tire of choice for mostly street driving with a set of 34x9.5 Swamper TSL's for weekend trail fun. TBI on the 2F was nice but not needed if the carb was in good shape. Had both a V8 and 2F; both worked fine but I like the V8 more overall (pros and cons for this on other threads). Had a Ranger OD with the V8 but didn't miss it with the 2F truck (both on 33's).
Never had A/C but then I didn't run a top in the summer. Kinda' defeats the purpose of owning a 40 IMHO!
Nick Jennings
Didn't need power steering often on the street; you'll need it even less if you run a pizza cutter tire on the stock wheels. 33x10.5 BFG AT/KO would be my tire of choice for mostly street driving with a set of 34x9.5 Swamper TSL's for weekend trail fun. TBI on the 2F was nice but not needed if the carb was in good shape. Had both a V8 and 2F; both worked fine but I like the V8 more overall (pros and cons for this on other threads). Had a Ranger OD with the V8 but didn't miss it with the 2F truck (both on 33's).
Never had A/C but then I didn't run a top in the summer. Kinda' defeats the purpose of owning a 40 IMHO!
Nick Jennings
